Nike Hyperdunk Lows...for tennis???

[VictorS.]

First of all, I realize that there have been numerous threads asking about basketball shoes being used for tennis. Obviously in a perfect world, tennis shoes are usually best for tennis. Common sense right??

Here's my background: I'm a 5.0 level player that plays 99 percent of the time on clay. Im in my late 20s & enjoy playing also basketball on a regular basis. I just recently purchased a low-top Hyperdunk Nike basketball shoe, which is arguably one of the best shoes around. The hightop version was worn by virtually everyone in the 2008 Bejiing Olympics (i.e. Kobe Bryant, Ginobili, Nowitzki, etc) & is arguably the most popular shoe in basketball. So from a basketball performance standpoint, it's clearly an elite shoe. I love Nike shoes. They generally run narrow & the technology they bring to the table is IMO the best (flywire etc). The shoe is tremendously light.

Here's my dilemma: I will almost exclusively wear only Nike shoes, just because I'm superstitious & have had not so great experiences with other brands. I've tried quite a few of the Nike shoes (BreatheFrees, the Nadal Ballistecs, BreatheCages). None of those shoes to me felt anywhere near as good as this shoe. I am intrigued by Federer's Vapor Tour shoe however have not tried it. Below I am going to post some pictures of this shoe. I'd really like to hear some genuine "PERFORMANCE" feedback from some of you guys that really know shoes. What would I be missing out on by wearing this shoe??? I'll be playing on clay so I really don't think durability is a huge issue. I am not a big toe dragger. Are the bottoms of the shoe ok?? They call it a modified herringbone, but it does look a bit different to typical tennis tread.

Tread of the Shoe: http://nicekicks.com/files/2009/11/hyper-low-5.jpg

Diff. Angles: http://nicekicks.com/files/2009/11/hyper-low-4.jpg

[lidoazndiabloboi]

Being the proud owner of 3 pairs of hyperdunks, I can say that they are an elite basketball shoe. But after the hyperdunk, came the Kobe IV and V which I think are even better than hyperdunks, because they are even lighter and are low cut. In terms of outsole, the hyperdunk's outsole is not as good as the Kobe's. With that being said, these basketball shoes outsoles are not really designed for outdoor play, more for indoor play. In Asia, they sell many of the same kinds of basketball shoes but with the XDR outsole to make it more durable.
So my opinion, the hyperdunk low would be a great basketball shoe, but i dont think the outsole would hold up very well on clay. I would recommend trying some of the Federer Vapors. The vapors were built pretty much to be the equivalent to the Kobe's. If you compare the Lunarlite Vapor with the Kobe V, they share similar traits.
Just my 2 cents.

[OHBH]

I used to play on hardcourts in pair of grey Air Force 25's and I loved them. but basketball shoes wear out fast, maybe as much on clay but probably not ideal. The tread on the hyperdunks also seems a bit too smooth for clay.

[mtommer]

Support wise basketball shoes are just fine for tennis. Good B-ball shoes and tennis shoes share similar padding and "tech". The biggest difference is the durable rubber on the out-sole and more rubber along the edges for toe dragging. I think this would be a good opportunity to take before pictures and then when the shoes are too worn down for you, take after pictures. Do a little write up about your experiences and then come back and start a thread for future wonderers.

[VictorS.]

Originally Posted by lidoazndiabloboi

Being the proud owner of 3 pairs of hyperdunks, I can say that they are an elite basketball shoe. But after the hyperdunk, came the Kobe IV and V which I think are even better than hyperdunks, because they are even lighter and are low cut. In terms of outsole, the hyperdunk's outsole is not as good as the Kobe's. With that being said, these basketball shoes outsoles are not really designed for outdoor play, more for indoor play. In Asia, they sell many of the same kinds of basketball shoes but with the XDR outsole to make it more durable.
So my opinion, the hyperdunk low would be a great basketball shoe, but i dont think the outsole would hold up very well on clay. I would recommend trying some of the Federer Vapors. The vapors were built pretty much to be the equivalent to the Kobe's. If you compare the Lunarlite Vapor with the Kobe V, they share similar traits.
Just my 2 cents.

I can definitely tell you know athletic shoes inside/out! I think I'm going to try out the Federer Vapors. i just really liked the feel of these Hyperdunk shoes & wish they could make a tennis shoe equivalent. Perhaps the Vapors are!

[roger nadal]

the hyperdunks are a little bit more comfortable in my opinion but the vapors are still really really good

[VictorS.]

I ended up buying last yr's Vapors. I've just tried them on. They feel pretty good. They're definitely heavier than the Hyperdunk shoes, but most shoes are.

I found this link regarding the current Kobe shoe. This model is geared towards outdoor basketball so the sole is more durable. The soles of the shoe look fine. I guess the issue would be the toe dragging.

http://dimemag.com/2010/01/nike-zoom...ht/#more-31488

[doom]

Andrew Ilie used to play in Air Jordans before he got a clothing sponsor.... Just saying

[VictorS.]

Originally Posted by doom

Andrew Ilie used to play in Air Jordans before he got a clothing sponsor.... Just saying

LOL. I love this thread. You know, no one has mentioned the "great" Bethanie Mattek. I've seen her in basketball shoes even possibly volleyball shoes, which I would think would wear down easy.

Mattek Basketball Shoes: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/71...y-Images-Sport

Volleyball Shoes (?): http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/90...y-Images-Sport